Cruiser collision closes highway

Southbound traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway was rerouted through Chemainus after a motor vehicle accident between a Toyota Corolla and an RCMP cruiser shut down the stretch of highway for two hours Nov. 10.

The incident occured about 1:30 p.m., when a Toyota Corolla pulled out in front of a South Island Traffic Services member closing the distance on a violator just past Porters Farm.

“The vehicle obviously didn’t see the police car and was trying to make a lane change right in front,” said South Island Traffic Services Sgt. Andre Dentoom.

“They made it about half a car length over when they realized there was a police car coming and abruptly tried to go back into the right lane.”

Upon attempting to veer back into the right lane, the vehicle lost control.

“Next thing you know they were sideways across both lanes,” Dentoom said.

The RCMP member attempted to avoid a collision but was unable at that point and impacted on one corner of the Corolla.